Electric storage battery



June 7, 1938. A. SETZER ELECTRIC STORAGE BATTERY Filed July 51, 1935 Patented June 7, 1938 UNITED STATES ELECTRIC STORAGE BATTER} Albert Setzer, North Scituate, R. I.

Application July 31,

7 Claims.

. The present invention relates to electric storage batteries and more particularly to improvements' in the binding-posts therefor to render them less liable to be mutilated or otherwise injured by frequent disconnection and reconnection of the cables.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a binding-post of relatively hard durable material for electric storage batteries having means for clamping a cable-conductor thereto.

Another object of the invention is to provide interlocking means between the binding-post and casing of the battery-to prevent twisting of the post with respect to the casing. I

Another object of the invention is to provide in an electric storage battery removable sealing means between the binding-post and the battery casing which may be adjusted and locked to effect a permanent and positively leak-proof joint;

Another object of the invention is to provide a binding-post of the type indicated which is of relatively simple and compact structure, lending to economical manufacture and assembly and one which performs its intended function over long periods of use without necessitating repair or replacement.

Further objects of the improvement are set forth in the following specification which describes a preferred embodiment of the invention, by way of example, as illustrated by the accompanying drawing; In the drawing:

- Fig. 1' is a top plan view of a battery-cell showing the improved terminal binding-post with a cable-conductor attached thereto;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the same taken on line 22 of Fig. 1 and showing the structure and relationship of the parts forming the terminal-element of the cell;

' Fig- 3 is a detailed perspective view of the improved terminal-element of the cell;

Fig. 4 is a detailed perspective View of a section of'the cover for the cell showing the recess in which the binding-post. is seated; and

Fig. 5 is a composite perspective view of the parts which cooperate with the binding-post and recessed cover to attach a cable-conductor to the post and form a sealed leak-proof joint.

Electric storage batteries have heretofore usually been provided with lead terminals or binding-posts of tapered or generally frusto-conical shape which project above the cover of the casing. The cables are attached to the posts by split connectors which are clamped tightly about the posts by bolts extending through lugs at the 1935, Serial No. 34,043

ing is apt to be ruptured to form an open seam H through which the electrolyte may leak.

The improved binding-post of the present invention is particularly adapted for use with batteries that are frequently recharged as, forex ample, those used in taxicabs; trucks and busses,

whereby to overcome the deficiencies of batteries heretofore used for such purposes. With the present improved binding-post the cable-connector may be easily and quickly attached thereto or detached therefrom and such connections may be made repeatedly without mutilating the post or breaking the seal. The improved device of the present invention consists generally in a composite pillar-strap of lead and a binding-post of harder metal such as steel or brass embedded in the pillar-strap. The extended end of thepost is preferably threaded to receive a clamping nut for cooperation with a flat seat formed by a radial flange or fixed washer on the post. Means are provided on the flange or washer for cooperation with the casing-cover to lock the post against twisting movement in the casing and to prevent such strain being transmitted to the parts of the terminal-element below the flange.

Sealing means such as disclosed in my prior U. S. Letters Patent No. 1,505,219 of August 19, 1924, are also provided for eifecting a permanent leakproof joint between the binding-post and the casing-cover.

The improved form of terminal binding-post is adapted for use with practically all types of storage batteries and in Figs. 1 and 2 a conventional type of battery-cell is illustrated as enclosed within the usual hard rubber jar 6. Ar-

ranged in spaced relationship within the jar 6 jar 6 is adapted to contain an electrolyte in which the plates are immersed and is closed at the top by a cover ll.

The cover I l corresponds to the cover disclosed in my prior patent and is therefore only briefly described herein. Suflice it to state that the cover is preferablymolded of hard rubber or similar dielectric and acid-proof material with relatively thin walls which are ribbed or recessed to provide the required strength and stiffness. As illustrated in Figs. 2 and 4, the cover I I has a depending marginal flange I2 offset at the bottom to form a trough within the interior walls of the jar 6 and a sealing compound 13 is poured into the space between the walls and the flange toform a sealed joint. As shown most clearly in Fig. 2, thecover II is provided with circular recesses 14 and 15 through which the posts of the terminal-elements 9 and ID are adapted to project; each recess being formed by a frustoconical cup-like depression I! having an inwardly directed flange l8 at the bottom defining a circular aperture or opening 19. Circular ribs 7 described.

. or slots 2| formed on its upper edge.

20 project from'the top surface of the cover II around the recesses l4 and I5, and the rib sur- 1 opening l9 into the recess I4 formed in the cover H with its upper end projecting above the top of the rib 23. The upper portion of the boss 21 is formedon its periphery-withsquare threads .28 interrupted by vertical slots 29icut therethrough. The boss 2-! has an axial bore in whichris secured a stud 30, preferablyconstructed of'steel or brass coated with lead or the like to "increase its :conductivityJ 'As illustrated in Fig. '2, the stud 39 has a hat head 3| at its lower end and'ashank which. extends axially of the boss 2'! with its projecting end threaded at 32. The stud 30 is embedded in the boss 21 by molding the material of the terminal-element 9 about its shank and "The terminal-element Iii comprises a pillarst'rap' 25 and'a projecting boss 21 having a portion thereof formed with square threads -28inter rupted by. slots '29, as with the boss 2? on the element 9. The boss 21 of this terminal-element I0 is adapted to-extendthrough the opening I!) I and into the recess l in a manner similar to the eoj boss 21; but instead of being provided'with a stud for ia'binding-post'its e'ndis tapered at. 34' to adapt it to' receive a connector' 52 to be later The joint between each of theiterminal elements 9 and Ill and the cover I! is sealed in the manner illustrated and described in my prior patent before re ferredto. This sealing means comprises compressible ring-gaskets 35 seated in the recesses It and I5 surrounding the bosses 2] on the elements Sand It; The gaskets 35 preferably formed; of soft rubber, are compressed in the recesses bynuts 35 inengagement with the threads 28 on the 'bosses'2l The upper face of the nuts 3% areprovided-With holes 31 'or other suit b e means er; en a em t by nn j in adjusted. position on the bosses 21. I thus formed are made positively leak-proof under '7 all conditions of use of the battery. T 7

wrench to screw the nuts onto the bosses 21; As the nuts 36 are screwed down on the threaded portions of the bosses 21 the gaskets35 are compressed between the bossesZl of the elements 9. and i0 and the side walls of the recesses 14 and i5 to seal the joints. The application of the nuts to the bosses 21 causes the flanges l8 of the cover to be firmly seated against the pillar-straps 25 of the terminal-elements 9' and l0; 7 it being understood that the joint-sealing means is adjusted before the compound I3 is poured to seal the cover to the jar. As the gaskets35 are com pressed to seal the joints the slots 29 extending through the threads 28 onthe bosses 2! will register with correspondingly-shaped slots 38 cut across the threads of the nuts 36, and keys 39' are then slid'into the alined slotsto lock the nuts T e joints Avflat Washer 4| of hard, lead or lead-coated;

steel or brass, see Fig.5, is placed on the'upper reduced end of the boss 21 above thethreads :28. The washer 41 may be coated with cadmiumor lead and burned, sweated or otherwise rigidly The washer is of the circular rib and is formedwith projecting lugs or prongs 42 for engagement with the notches 2| in the top of the rib. The. washer 4! thus forms an annular flat seat below the threaded with the rib 20 to positively prevent twisting of the terminal-element 9 with respect to the casing. Further, the locking engagement between the washer 4! and rib120resists any twisting strain applied onthe threaded end 32 of the'stud 36 to prevent the strain being transmitted to the boss 27. -A nut 43, preferably leadcoated; is applied to the threaded end of the stud at to clamp the cable-connector 44 against the annular seat formed by the washer 4|. The "cableconnector 4 may be of any suitable construction andfas herein shown; isfcomprised 'or' rela tively fiat'annulus having a hollow cylindrical projection "at its side within which the cable .45 is soldered or otherwisesecured." A washer is preferably placed'between the nut 43 and cableconnector 44 to resist any tendency of'the conector to unscrew the nut. 1 g 4 In assembling the battery the alternate plates 1 and 8 are first unitedwith the respective terminal-elements 9 and I0 inthe usual manner. by

burning the projecting lugs. 50 on thenplates to the teeth of the combs I26 The assemblylof T plates and terminal-elements,including suita ble separators between the plates, is then .in-

serted in the jar 6 with the lower edgesgof t he plates resting 'on ribs 5| or the like to hold t them spaced from the bottom, of the jar. The

Over; is applied to the i f' -w th the QSses 1 straps 25 around the bosses 21. The compressifble ring-gaskets 'are then inserted into the recesses 14 and I5 surroundingthe bosses 21 and the nuts 36. screwed down on the threads 28jto on the terminal-elements fi' and lll'g'projec'ting upwardly through the apertures lfi and into compress the gaskets and seal the jointsbetween the terminal-elements il and I 0 and the cover" ll. When the gaskets 35; have been surficiently m ss d th ke s?? are n erte th u h the alined slots 29 and 38 on the bosses 21 and in the nuts 36 tolockthe parts in adjusted position. The washers llv are applied to the upper ends of the-bosses 2'! in the position shown in Fig. 2

with their lugs 42 seated in the notches 2| on the ribs the Washers being then-burned or sweated to the bosses. The washers 4| are thus fixedly united with the bosses 21 to form an integral structure with the elements 9 and It! so that the interlocking engagement of the lugs 42 with the notches 2! in the cover it positively lock the terminal-elements from twisting.

The cover I I may then be secured to the casing 6 by pouring the sealing compound I3 into the trough-like space between the depending flange I2 and contiguous inner faces of the walls of the jar B to form an assembled cell. It will be understood that a series of the cells are usually arranged in tandem with each end-cell having one of the present improved terminal-elements 9 to provide binding-posts of opposite polarity; while the other terminal-elements H] are joined to each other in adjacent cells by connector-straps 52 burned onto the tapered ends 34 of the posts 21. The cable-connector 44 may be quickly applied over the threaded end of the stud and clamped between the annular fiat face of the washer 4| and the washer 46 by screwing on the nut 43.

, The cable-connector 44 may likewise be quickly detached from the binding-post by merely backing off the nut 43 and removing the connector over the end of the stud 30.

It will be observed from the foregoing description that the present invention provides an improved terminal-element for storage batteries having a practically indestructable binding-post for the cable-conductor which will not be mutilated or otherwise injured by frequent attachment and detachment of the cable-connector. It will further be observed that the improved form of terminal-element also resists twisting or skewing and rupture of its connections while also providing for tightly sealing the joint between the post and cell-cover to prevent leakage of the electrolyte.

Still further, it will be observed that the improved form of terminal-element is of comparatively simple construction adapted to be easily assembled and disassembled and comprising only a few parts which lend to economical manufacture.

While I have herein shown and described a preferred form of construction of the device, it is to be understood that various modifications may be made in the structure and arrangement of its parts without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Therefore, without limiting myself in this respect, I claim:

1. In a storage battery cell, the combination of a casing, electrode-plates in the casingqa cover for the casing provided with a recess having a centrally-positioned opening therein, a pillarstrap for connecting a series of the electrodeplates and having a boss projecting upwardly through the opening and into the recess in the cover, a compressible gasket surrounding the boss, means cooperating with the boss for compressing the gasket to seal the joint between the boss and the cover, a washer swetted to the boss as an integral part thereof and forming a fiat seat above the gasket, a screw-threaded stud extending upwardly from the boss and washer, and a nut on the screw-threaded stud for clamping a detachable connector against the flat seat formed by the washer.

V 2. In a storage battery cell, the combination in the pillar-strap and extending axially of the boss, said stud having a screw-threaded end'projecting beyond the end of the boss, a washer swetted to the upper end of the boss as anintegral part thereof and forming an annular seat, interlocking means on the washer and cover to prevent the boss from twisting in the casing, and a nut on the threaded end of the stud for clamping a detachable connector against the annular seat formed by the washer.

3. In a storage battery cell, the combination of a casing, electrode-plates in the casing, a cover for the casing provided with a conical recess having a centrally-positioned. opening therein, a notched rib on the cover surrounding the recess, a terminal-member for connecting a series of the electrodes and having a boss extending through the opening and into the recessin the cover, a stud embedded in the terminal-member axially of the boss and having a threaded end projecting beyond the end of the boss, at compressible gasket surrounding the boss, means cooperating with the boss for compressing the gasket to form a liquidtight seal between the casing on the boss, a Washer swetted to the upper end of the boss as an integral part thereof and forming a, flat seat at the bottom of the screw-threaded end of the stud, peripheral lugs on the washer for cooperation with the notched rib'on the cover to prevent the boss from twisting in the cover, and a nut on the threaded end of the stud for clamping a detachable connector against the flat seat formed by the washer. V

4. In a battery cell, the combination of a cover provided with a recess having a centrally-positioned opening therein, a terminal-member comprising a post projecting upwardly through the opening and into the recess in the cover, said post having external screw-threads thereon, a stud embedded in the post and having a screwthreaded end projecting beyond the post, a compressible gasket surrounding the post, a nut cooperating with the screw-threads on the post for compressing the gasket to seal the joint between the post and the cover, a washer swetted to the post as an integral part thereof to form an annular seat, and a nut on the screw-threaded end of the stud for clamping a detachable connector against the annular seat.

5. In a storage battery cell, the combination of a casing, electrodes in the casing, a cover for the casing provided with a recess having a centrally-positioned opening, a notched rib on the cover surrounding the recess, a terminal-element for connecting a series of the plates, a boss on the terminal-element extending through the opening and into the recess in the cover, a compressible gasket within the recess surrounding the boss, an interiorly-threaded nut screwed down on the boss to compress the gasket to seal the joint between the boss and cover, means for locking the nut in adjusted position on theboss, a stud embedded in the terminal-element centrally of the boss and having a threaded end projecting beyond the 'boss, a; washer swettedjto the boss'as'an integral part thereof and forming an annular seat below the threaded end of the'stud; said washer t having lugs in locking engagement with the battery comprising a pillar-strap, a stud' em-.

bedded in the pillar-strap and having a screw- 3 threaded end, a washer swetted to the stud as an integral part thereof and'forming an annular seat, said washer having radially-extending locking lugs on its peripheral edge, and a nut on the threaded end of the stud for clamping a de- 7 tachable connector against theannular seat.

7. A terminal-element for an electric storage battery comprising a pillar-strap, a cylindrical boss projecting fromthe strap, screw-threads formed on the exterior of the boss, a 'stud em,

bedded'in the pillar-strap and boss and having a threaded end projecting beyond the end of the boss, a washer swetted to the boss as an integral part thereof: at the juncture of the boss and stud,

said washer extending radially to form a seat,

and a nut on the threaded'end of the stud for clamping a detachable connector against the seat. 7

V-VALBERT SE'IZER. 

